-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Myanmar announced Tuesday it will grant amnesty to 6,300 prisoners on Wednesday , one in a series of recent moves that could help the isolated nation normalize relations with Western nations including the United States .

But is it really an authentic step toward greater freedoms in one of the world 's most repressive states ? Or is it another gesture by the nominally civilian government to appease critics ?

Kurt Campbell , a U.S. assistant secretary of state , called it a `` dramatic development '' that could prompt Washington to consider improving ties . The United States imposes an embargo on arms and investment in Myanmar , once known as Burma before a military junta took over .

But if you ask Mark Farmaner , director of the London-based human rights group Burma Campaign UK , the prisoner amnesty is part of the `` mood music '' created to soothe the world . Obviously , he said , the amnesty was welcome , but it was hardly signaling the government 's wish for democracy .

`` What 's very clear is that -LRB- President -RRB- Thein Sein is willing to make more concessions in order to get sanctions lifted and get more international legitimacy , '' Farmaner said .

The amnesty announcement in state-run media did not make it clear how many political detainees would be included .

Amnesty International has reported that more than 2,200 political prisoners are detained in poor conditions and subjected to torture and cruel treatment .

Their release remains a key demand of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and a priority for lifting of Western sanctions .

There was cause for optimism after a letter to Thein Sein from a new state-appointed human rights panel called for the pardon of `` prisoners of conscience who do not pose a threat to the stability of state and public tranquility . ''

Myanmar , ruled by generals since 1962 , denied for decades that political prisoners even existed .

Since Myanmar 's elections in November 2010 -- the first in two decades -- its leaders have been gingerly reaching out to critics .

`` Now I think it would be fair to say the elections themselves were flawed in many critical ways , and we have continuing concerns about a number of developments inside the country , '' Campbell , the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs , said Monday in a lecture in Bangkok , Thailand .

`` But it is also undeniably the case that there are dramatic developments under way , '' he said . `` We have stated clearly that we are prepared for a new chapter in our relations , and we are watching carefully developments on the ground . And I think it would be fair to say we will match their steps with comparable steps , and we are looking forward over the course of the next several weeks to continuing a dialogue that has really stepped up in recent months . ''

Tint Swe , the head of Myanmar 's state censorship , called Friday for greater press freedoms , saying his own office should be shuttered as part of government reforms , reported Radio Free Asia .

Last week , the government suspended the Myitsone dam project on the Irrawaddy River -- annoying the Chinese but pleasing Suu Kyi and environmental activists , who had been vocal opponents .

In September , Myanmar 's Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin held a rare , historic meeting with U.S. officials in Washington following what a U.S. State Department spokesman characterized as positive developments after years of discord over human rights and other issues .

A month earlier , Suu Kyi met with Thein Sein at the presidential residence in Naypyitaw and the two vowed to work together in the nation 's interest , state media reported . Nyan Win , a spokesman for Suu Kyi 's National League for Democracy party , said then that he thought the meeting `` may be the first step towards reconciliation . ''

The NLD was banned from the 2010 election , but Suu Kyi is fighting to restore her party 's legitimacy .

Myanmar and Western nations have been at odds for years because of Myanmar rulers ' ongoing clampdown on their political foes , most notably Suu Kyi . She spent most of the past two decades in some form of detention before being released a week after last year 's elections .

Farmaner of Burma Campaign UK said the government 's talks with Suu Kyi are also about self-preservation . As long as there are popular protests , the government runs the risk of having to crack down on a growing movement as it did in 2007 , when outrage over rising fuel prices escalated to Buddhist monks leading 100,000 people in the largest anti-government demonstrations since 1988 .

`` He wants to take politics off the streets of Burma and bring it under the parliament 's wing , '' Farmaner said about Thein Sein . `` He is scared of it being on the streets . ''

Joshua Kurlantzick , fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations , admitted he was a bit wary about the intentions of a government that in the past has failed implement reforms . However , he said he is taken with the scope of the latest developments .

`` Given that , this reform has definitely gone beyond what a lot of skeptics expected , including myself , ' Kurlantzick said .

A longtime pariah nation , Myanmar , he said , likely wants international recognition .

`` It 's important to them , '' Kurlantzick said .

`` It 's about diversifying their partners , '' he said . `` They do n't want to be totally reliant on China . It 's about not being dependent . ''

But a key issue that is not being addressed , said Farmaner , is rights for Myanmar 's ethnic minorities , some of whom have waged armed insurgencies against the government . Until they are included in dialogue , he said , Myanmar can not make progress .

Ultimately , Farmaner has a warning for Western nations : Do n't get carried away . Lift some sanctions if you want to send a message of encouragement , he said . `` But do n't give away too much , too soon . ''

CNN 's Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report .

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It is not clear whether political detainees will be among those released

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Myanmar has made moves in recent months to reach out to its critics

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Last month , its foreign minister held a rare , historic meeting with U.S. officials

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State Department official : `` There are dramatic developments under way ''